Canal Hopping

Will Robinson

2009-09-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

As my time in London winds down, I'm beginning to remember what I loved about it in the first place. Unlike New York, Paris or LA I still find London to be a very grimy city. You bike to work and your snot is black. When you walk down the street people will very happily walk into you. People don't hold doors. The tube on a Tuesday morning is about the most unhealthy contraption I can imagine. It's just dirty. And compared to stainless steel counter tops and polished marble, there's something every once in a while refreshing about grime. I think these Will Robinson photos capture a little bit of that feeling. I pass the skyscraper in the third photo every day on my bike to work along the canal. Glad someone else appreciates it as much as I do.

http://william-robinson.com/wp-content/cache/supercache/william-robinson.com/index.html

2009-08-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

New ride: inspired by the Tour

2009-07-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

On the elevator yesterday I overhead one man remark that London is the most dangerous city in the world to bicycle. I have no doubt this is true. On a daily basis I feel like i'm battling the bus drivers and cabbies for space on the road. That said, biking is easily the most fun and fastest way around this town. Would never give it up. But, perhaps, armed with one of these, i'd find the roads a slighly safer place

Chris Craymer and 20s love

2009-06-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Chris Craymer, out with a new book of photography called Romance. It is awesome. Accurately reflects the joy of being in your 20s and finding someone you love. Loving this quote:

Describe what you mean by 'pre-mortgage love'?

Chris Craymer: It is meant to be about that special time of an early romance when all is highly charged and also when one is free from expectations and any long term baggage. It is between two mature adults who have yet to encounter the constraints of responsibility. I believe everyone has experienced this at some point in their lives and some are constantly trying to discover it again

2009-05-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

Was able to sneak out to the Alexia Goethe gallery yesterday and hang out with Aditya Pande, the artist behind these works. Some are slightly troubled, but my feeling is that they accurately portray life in New Delhi these days (his home town and current location). Though I can claim to know very little of ND, Pande, who has exhibited in London and New York, seems to find inspiration in blurring modern graphic design with classic Indian colours and metaphors. Works for me. Check out the gallery if you're in the hood: http://www.alexiagoethegallery.com/x/default.html

London-based Max Hamilton

2009-05-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

London-based Max Hamilton, portrait and travel photographer, has done some very cool stuff recently. There's something about the bottom photo that reminds me of London pre-summer. Not quite right is it.

Dreaming of the woods

2009-05-12T02:05:00.001-07:00

I'm a big fan of this house, reminds me of some of the houses around Toronto that slope down into the Don Valley.

2009-05-06T06:29:00.001-07:00

Having been traveling quite a bit recently (and off to Hamburg in a few hours), these Evan Hecox prints have hit home. I spent a little time in Paris last week and was reminded of how beautiful that city is. London is pretty untouchable this time of year, with bikes and jean shorts and parks and american tourists. I was lucky enough to spend a few weekends in Montauk last summer with brother Dave and friends, and I hope to be back soon. But as always, my heart is still in California.

Check out arkitip when you get a chance, and if you don't have one already, do yourself a favor and get a subscription: http://www.arkitip.com/

The longshoremen

2009-04-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful weekend on the canal. Spotted from my window were a couple of fine vessels. I have to say, though, that no canal boat is complete without a dog on top of the bow leading the way.

Peter Doig

2009-04-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes East London-er, sometimes Canadian, sometimes Trinidadian (but not Tobogan), Peter Doig has been painting beautiful landscapes-er, not really-since the early 1980s, when he was holed up in a London studio, and getting by on pence a day (or so I assume). these days he goes for many quid, but it seems that his passion for painting hasn't diminished. some of his most famous work - check out the guy in the canoe - is based on pop culture references (in this case, a 1970s Allman Brothers album cover). Others, such as "country rock" which depits the iconic rainbow on the East side of the DVP in Toronto, are based purely on nostalgia. Though my description is in all likelihood doing him some injustice, i heartily recommend spending some time Doig. It gives back in full doses.

2009-04-15T04:09:00.000-07:00

You might have been seeing these around the canals lately - fluoro bikes. Not sure I could rock one, but might be a life-saving purchase if you're swerving in the middle of Bethnal Green Rd. on a Sat. at 4am.

Donlon Books on Cambridge Heath Rd.

2009-04-14T03:13:00.000-07:00

The first time I walked in here, the guy in front of me racked up an £800 book bill. Turns out, according to the owner, that he was the top photography book collector in Switzerland and was looking for one Gerhard Richter book. But if you just want to learn a little something about Judo, this is also the spot for you.

Eine vs. Sweet Toof

2009-04-12T06:14:00.001-07:00

Two graffiti artists dominate the east end canal network: Eine and Sweet Toof. They're etchings are tough to miss even if you're not looking for them. And if you are, well, its a bit of a gold mine. Eine is famous for his big fluorescent letters on storefront grates. His stated purpose: to add a little colour, life and humanity to the east end. And what could be less intimidating to anyone that a big fluorescent letter. Sweet Toof perhaps doesn't have quite as noble intentions. His works are jarring. There's a rabid anxiety to them. But he also likes his neons. And there can be no doubt that he's also in search of respite from the greys, blacks and soot-coloured buildings that cover the east end.

Pavillion on Victoria Park

2009-04-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

At the heart of the east end canal network, is Victoria Park. And in Vic Park is Pavillion - the best Sat/Sun brunch place in London. If its sunny, you can expect 30 min. waits but on duck boot days, its pretty untouchable.

Chisenhale Gallery

2009-04-09T03:01:00.000-07:00

A stone's throw away from our waterside abode on old ford rd. is the chisenhale gallery. On the canal, staff are cool and always willing to do a little explaning, definitely worth the raft ride.
http://www.chisenhale.org.uk/
(top to bottom: anja kirschner, david noonan, anthea hamilton, ulla van brandenburg)

Welcome

2009-04-09T02:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Canal Hopping. We cover the architecture, transportation, history, concerts and bars of East London from Mile End to London Fields.

Like a modern day huck finn we bravely navigate the treacherous canals of east london, avoiding hissing swans and stray pit bulls, in search of something a little more refined: maybe an abandoned factory or a classic east end pub. This should function as a vital source for modern day east london explorers.

As Daniel Bonne, the great Appalachian explorer once famously said, "I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks"